Alyseum AL-88c User manual

AL-88c – User’s manual © - Revision 1.6
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AL-88c - User’s manual
This symbol is intended to alert the user of important operating and maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature provided with the equipment.
This symbol is intended to alert the user of the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage
within the product’s enclosure that may present a risk of electric shock.
1 Caution
Read Instruction: Read and understand all of the safety and operating instructions before using this
equipment.
Retain Instructions: The safety instructions should be kept for future reference.
Follow Warnings: Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the equipment or in the user
manual.
Avoid Attachments: Do not use tools or attachments that are not recommended by Alyseum
Company because they may be hazardous.
Installation:
● Choose the installation location of your unit carefully.
● Avoid placing it in direct sunlight or close to a source of heat.
● Also avoid locations subject to vibrations and excessive dust, heat, cold or moisture.
Power Source:
 This equipment should only be operated from the power source indicated on the product.
 This equipment is intended to be used with a main power system with a Neutral conductor.
 The third (Earth) pin is a safety feature, do not attempt to bypass or disable it.
 When removing the power plug from the wall outlet, always pull directly on the plug, never yank
the cord.
Servicing:
 Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
 There are no user-serviceable parts inside.
 To prevent the risk of shock, do not attempt to service this equipment yourself because opening
or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards.
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

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2 Contents
1 Caution............................................................................................................................................1
2 Contents..........................................................................................................................................2
3 What’s the AL-88c...........................................................................................................................3
3.1 Features..................................................................................................................................3
3.2 Applications ............................................................................................................................3
4 What's the Global MIDI Network.....................................................................................................4
4.1 Wired and wireless connections.............................................................................................4
4.2 Virtual connections .................................................................................................................4
5 Hardware AL-88C............................................................................................................................5
5.1 Package content.....................................................................................................................5
5.2 Options ...................................................................................................................................5
5.3 Panel description....................................................................................................................5
5.4 Specifications..........................................................................................................................6
6 Software AL-88c..............................................................................................................................6
6.1 Merging function.....................................................................................................................6
6.2 Establish connections.............................................................................................................6
6.3 Settings...................................................................................................................................6
6.4 Firmware Upgrade software...................................................................................................7
7 About...............................................................................................................................................8
7.1 Ethernet..................................................................................................................................8
7.1.1 Note about Wi-Fi use..........................................................................................................8
7.1.2 Tips for a efficient Ethernet Network..................................................................................8
7.2 CopperLan..............................................................................................................................8
8 Miscelleanous..................................................................................................................................9
8.1 Disclaimer...............................................................................................................................9
8.2 Maintenance...........................................................................................................................9
8.3 Static Electricity, ESD.............................................................................................................9
8.3.1 Standard symbols for ESD advertising ..............................................................................9
8.3.2 Some tips and precautions for ESD sensitive environment...............................................9
8.4 How to wiring the Ethernet cable ?.......................................................................................10
8.5 How to wiring a MIDI cable ?................................................................................................10
8.6 Statement and Agency Compliance.....................................................................................10
8.6.1 WEEE (for EU countries) ................................................................................................10
8.6.2 RoHS Compliance (for EU countries) .............................................................................11
8.6.3 CE (for EU countries)......................................................................................................11
8.7 Warranty and repair..............................................................................................................11
8.8 Revision history ....................................................................................................................11
8.9 MIDI Chart ............................................................................................................................12

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3 What’s the AL-88c
The Alyseum AL-88c offering an very attractive price with the same performances of our flagship: The AL-88.
The AL-88c provides the Top and the Unique alternative compared to a classical USB MIDI patch-bay including 8
bidirectionnal MIDI ports.
To propose this very affordable deal, we are reduce some features:
● No LEDs MIDI activities (however you keep a single LED activity on the RJ-45 connector).
● No rackmount box.
● No intergrated power supply (wall power adapter supplied).
● No personalized technical support.
The Alyseum AL-88c is an embedded networked computer Box. It uses the Ethernet network to transport MIDI
flows between any CopperLan compliant hardware or software applications in computers.
A AL-88c allows you to connect 8 MIDI In and 8 MIDI Out ports (up to 16 MIDI cables), simply and in a flexible
way.
Of course, the AL-88c can exchange MIDI flows with any other AL products (Peer to peer functionnality) or any
other product supporting CopperLan.
AL-88C are supplied ready to use, the actual linking is managed via the CopperLan Manager software. This
freeware tool is also used to monitor the status of all Copperlan computers and equipment. The box can be
controlled from any computer anywhere in the network.
3.1 Features
● Self-contained interface, 8 MIDI In/Out pairs to CopperLan interface.
● 100 Ethernet interface.
● Auto-MDIX allows the use of straight-trough or cross-over UTP cable.
● peer to peer MIDI transport, on a channel basis, remapping and merging.
● peer to peer MIDI transport without computer.
3.2 Applications
● Home Studio
● Synthesizer Collector

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4 What's the Global MIDI Network
4.1 Wired and wireless connections
This drawing depicts the Global connectivity between various MIDI equipment and applications that freely
exchange data in the Global MIDI Network environment.
Standalone MIDI interface, support CopperLan
Technology, like Alyseum AL-88, AL-88c, AL-22, ALeX.
Switch + WI-FI
iPad
Ethernet
Wi-Fi
USB or 1394
AL-USB
MS-812
Alyseum
Standalone product support
CopperLan technology, like
Alyseum MS-812, MS-4
AL-88c
Alyseum
4.2 Virtual connections
The following drawing gives a virtual perception of the connected equipment.
Two key aspects are standing out:
1. Everything can talk to anything
2. The physical connection type is irrelevant and is totally hidden to the user
iPad
Virtual Network
MS-812
Alyseum
AL-88c
Alyseum

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5 Hardware AL-88C
5.1 Package content
● 1 AL-88c device
● 1 Wall-plug power with 90-250VAC auto sensing inlet
● User’s manual access card
●4 rubber feet sticker
5.2 Options
Check on http://www.alyseum.com/accessories
5.3 Panel description
ALYSEUM
100 Base-T
L/A
AL-88c
5 VDC IN
IN 1 IN 2 IN 3 IN 4 IN 5 IN 6 IN 7 IN 8
OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3 OUT 4 OUT 5 OUT 6 OUT 7 OUT 8
MIDI
6
43
21
5
1. Green LED – CP activity
CP activity Mode
LED Pattern
Firmware Upgrade ready
Slow blinking
Firmware Upgrade activity
Fast blinking
CP establishing connection
OFF with ON pulses
CP Activity
ON with OFF pulses
2. Yellow LED – Network Link/Activity
LK/ACT Mode
LED Pattern
No connection
OFF
LINK established
ON
Network activity
ON with OFF pulses
3. RJ45 – Ethernet connector – 100 Base-T
4. DIN41524 (5 pin) – Octal MIDI In 1
5. DIN41524 (5 pin) – Octal MIDI Out Port
6. DC plug 2.1mm – Only 5 VDC (positive in center)
Use only the wall-plug power module supplied with AL-88c.

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5.4 Specifications
● Dimensions (W x H x D): 432 x 44 x 85 mm
● Weight: 1,1 Kg
● Power requirements: 90 – 230 Volts AC, 50 – 60 Hz
● Power Comsumption: 3 Watts
6 Software AL-88c
6.1 Merging function
Connecting two or more sources to the same destination, realizes a merging functions.
Beware that MIDI does not allow merging every type of message at any time. Merging two sysex messages may
lead to unpredictable results.
More informations on our application note: http://www.alyseum.com/download.
6.2 Establish connections
It is possible to connect any source to any destination, as a whole virtual cable or according to message type.
Establishing connections is done from the connection tab of the CopperLan Manager software application.
To connect a whole virtual cable, select the appropriate source device and click on the MIDI connector icon. You
complete the operation by selecting a destination. All messages appearing at the source will be transferred to the
destination without any filtering or remapping.
Instead of connecting a whole cable content, it is allowed to connect individually one or more message types
according to the following split:
1. Note and Controller messages on a channel basis – these are channel messages
Any of the 16 MIDI channels content can be linked separately
2. Clock messages (incl. clock control and song position messages)
Any clock from any source can be connected to any destination. Note that MIDI destinations can only
accept a single clock whereas CopperLan destinations can accept many.
3. Other messages (Sys)
This selection covers all messages to the exception of messages in categories 1 and 2 hereabove. This
linking is essentially used for Sysex and MTC messages.
It is meaningful to only connect sources and destinations of adequate messages type (e.g. Sys to Sys). However,
it is allowed to connect any source channel to any destination channel, effectively realizing a channel remapping.
More informations on our application note: http://www.alyseum.com/downloads
6.3 Settings

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1 settings for each MIDI Input are done via the CopperLan Manager (Editor tabs)
1. Restore originals MIDI In connections.
2. Save MIDI In destinations.
3. Enable or disable the active sensing on MIDI Out 1.
4. Enable or disable the active sensing on MIDI Out 2.
5. Enable or disable the active sensing on MIDI Out 3.
6. Enable or disable the active sensing on MIDI Out 4.
7. Enable or disable the active sensing on MIDI Out 5.
8. Enable or disable the active sensing on MIDI Out 6.
9. Enable or disable the active sensing on MIDI Out 7.
10. Enable or disable the active sensing on MIDI Out 8.
The save is done automatically.
6.4 Firmware Upgrade software
Upgrading the firmware is done via the network.
This is done automatically through the CopperLan Manager via an internet connection or via the Firmware
updater program.

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7 About
7.1 Ethernet
Alyseum products rely on Ethernet to transport data; compared to other solutions (USB, IEEE1394, ...) Ethernet
offers many advantages:
● Available on all computer platforms
● No real limit in cable length and node connections.
● Full Duplex.
● Very high bandwidth.
● Very low Latency.
● Frees the computer of the MIDI flow handling of USB/Firewire interfaces
● Embedded devices can work without any computer in the network
● Peer to peer capability.
● Full electrical isolation between machines, preventing audio hum due to ground loops.
● Low cost, ubiquitous and reliable infrastructure.
7.1.1 Note about Wi-Fi use
Using these products via Wi-Fi is possible but not guaranteed. Wireless transmissions are subject to perturbations
that require data resending which implies unavoidable delays which are inconvenient for real-time musical
purposes.
This is why Alyseum only guarantees good performance when using wired network.
7.1.2 Tips for a efficient Ethernet Network
The performance of an Ethernet network is always related to the weakest link.
● Use the WI-FI only for the web, Email, ... and the wired network of your computer for the CopperLan and
audio streaming
● For large installations, use an additional network card in your computer to create a network dedicated only
for CopperLan and audio streaming
● For large installations , preferably use Gbit Ethernet switches to guarantee a better data exchange
● Avoid Ethernet HUBs as these create collisions in messages that could hamper the overall network
performance
7.2 CopperLan
CopperLan offers many advantages:
● Connectivity guaranteed with any hardware/Software supporting CopperLan.
● No IP addresses, thanks to an address abstraction layer.
● Protocol and networking system for command & control + streaming management.
● Self configuring & Plug and Play.
● Decentralized work distribution and storage – every CopperLan equipment incorporates its own server.
CopperLan manages MIDI in a more powerful and flexible than any other technology available. The benefit of
having its own dedicated protocol surpasses the afterthought solutions relying on TCP/UDP-IP in terms of speed
and user-friendliness.

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8 Miscelleanous
8.1 Disclaimer
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of this document is prohibited without the express permission of
Alyseum.
© 2011-2014 Alyseum.
The information and specifications described in this manual are subject to change without notice.
Other products or brandnames mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
8.2 Maintenance
Switch Off the power before maintenance.
Do not attempt to clean the unit with chemical solvents (thinner, benzine or alcohol) as this might damage the
finish. Use only a clean, dry cloth.
8.3 Static Electricity, ESD
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can cause malfunction and/or damage to electronic devices if discharged into the
device.
Even Alyseum products have built-in protections; ESD exists and might build up at levels that could harm your
equipment.
8.3.1 Standard symbols for ESD advertising
8.3.2 Some tips and precautions for ESD sensitive environment
● Make sure to discharge any built-up static electricity from yourself and your device before touching or
connecting one device to another
● Ground yourself by touching a earth grounded metal surface before handling your device and other
equipments.
● For fixed installations, put the device in a grounded metallic rack.
● Ensure air relative humidity is minimum 60%.
● Install ESD specific prevention items, such as grounding mats.
● Reduce movement speed on handling or (dis)connecting devices
● Avoid carpet or other synthetic flooring.

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8.4 How to wiring the Ethernet cable ?
If you want to build your own Ethernet cable, dont worry, use CAT5 cable, RJ45 connectors and a crimping
clamp.
The maximum lenght for a single cables are 120 meters
Pin
Function
1
TX+
2
TX-
3
RX-
6
RX+
1
8
8.5 How to wiring a MIDI cable ?
8.6 Statement and Agency Compliance
8.6.1 WEEE (for EU countries)
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Directive 2002/96/EC)
(applicable for E.U. Customers or others countries with separate collection systems)
1. This marking shown on the product or its literature, indicates that it should not be
disposed with other household wastes at the end of its working life.
2. To prevent possible harm to the environment or human health from uncontrolled
waste disposal, please separate this from other types of wastes and recycle it
responsibly to promote the sustainable reuse of material resources.
3. Household users should contact either the retailer where they purchased this
product, or their local government office, for details of where and how they can take this item for
environmentally safe recycling.
Pin
Function
2
Ground
4
Data +
5
Data -
4
1
5
2
3

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8.6.2 RoHS Compliance (for EU countries)
Alyseum products complies with the European Union restriction of the use of certain
hazardous substances in electronics equipment, (RoHS directive 2002/95/EC)
The RoHS directive prohibits the sale of certain electronic equipment containing some
hazardous substances such as Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium and certain Flame-retardants
(PBB & PBDE) in the European Union.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32002L0095:EN:HTML
8.6.3 CE (for EU countries)
Alyseum products comply with the requirements of European Directive 89/336/EC.
8.7 Warranty and repair
Alyseum warrants to you, the original purchaser, that each of its products will be free from defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of two years from the date of purchase.
This warranty does not apply to any products which have been repaired or altered by other than repair personnel
authorized by Alyseum, or which have been subject to ESD, moisture, abuse, accident or improper installation
and using.
Alyseum assumes no liability as a consequence of such events under the terms of this Warranty.
Please consult your dealer for more details.
8.8 Revision history
Issue
Date
Comments
1.6
December 2013
First edition

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8.9 MIDI Chart
AL-88c MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART ver.1.0. 2013-12-22
Function
Transmitted
Recognized
Remarks
Default
1-16
1-16
pass-through
Basic Channel
Changed
--
--
via network mapping
Default
--
--
not applicable
Messages
X
X
pass-through
Mode
Altered
--
--
not applicable
Note Number
0-127
0-127
pass-through
Velocity
X
X
pass-through
Keys
X
X
pass-through
After Touch
Channels
X
X
pass-through
Ptch Bend
X
X
pass-through
Control Change
X
X
pass-through
Prog. Change True#
X
X
pass-through
System exclusive
X
X
pass-through
Song Position
X
X
pass-through
Song Select
X
X
pass-through
System Common
Tune Request
X
X
pass-through
Clock
X
X
pass-through
System Realtime
Commands
X
X
pass-through
Local On/Off
X
X
pass-through
All Notes Off
X
X
pass-through
Active Sensing
O
X
Via CopperLan
Aux Messages
System Reset
O
O
Notes